Desert Mirage High School won its second California Interscholastic Federation championship in three years earlier this year thanks to the soccer team, with the football program at the school again playing second-fiddle. That’s not likely to change this school year, but there are plans to increase excitement surrounding a team that finished 2-8 a year ago.

Head coach Eric Perry enters his second year in the program, and has players believing that they can at least double their win total this year if they continue putting in the work from the offseason that Perry says has made his group much more confident than at this time last year.

Perry has been preparing his players to mix in a passing attack to what was the most run-heavy offense in the Coachella Valley in 2017, and alterations have been made to the defense that will prepare the Rams for some of the pass-heavy teams they’re likely to face.

We’ll soon find out if all the work will pay off.

Three reasons for excitement

Ridge’s return: Manny Ridge was one of the top rushers in the state of California a year ago, accumulating 2,197 yards and 21 touchdowns in nine games. He’s returned for his senior season, and it’s expected that all the attention on him will help open up the passing game.

Returning starters: The Rams have brought back eight starters on offense and eight on defense, which should help carry over some momentum from the end of last season, when Desert Mirage nearly upset league champion Coachella Valley in the regular season finale.

Nathan Kelly pressured and sacked. The Desert Mirage varsity football team won Friday's home conference game against Desert Hot Springs by a score of 35-27.(Photo: Brandon Magpantay)

New league alignment: Desert Mirage will play this year in a new league, which no longer includes Rancho Mirage but adds Banning, Indio and Cathedral City. That should benefit Desert Mirage as the competitive balance of the league seems to have leveled.

One reason for concern

Thin group: Depth will be thin again this year for the Rams, who’ll begin the season with less than 30 players. Perry must find the balance of keeping his team competitive while also giving his stars enough rest to avoid injury and season-long wear and tear.

Three players you know

Manny Ridge: Ridge was basically the entire offense a year ago, averaging nearly 41 carries a game. He’s hit the weights hard this offseason to prepare for more, though Perry is hoping the offense has evolved enough to reduce Ridge’s carries to around 30 a game.

Buy Photo

Desert Mirage running back Manny Ridge tiptoes on the sideline during a run against Coachella, November 3, 2017. (Photo: Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun)

Luis Sandoval: The all-league lineman will play mostly tackle this year, where his 270-pound frame should again provide Ridge with his most reliable blocker. Sandoval will also play some defense, but his real value is on the offensive line.

Eddie Martinez: The middle linebacker is perhaps the key returner on defense, and will play a major role in helping a Rams defense improve after allowing 38 points a game last year.

The player you’ll know soon

Tony Marmolejo, QB: Marmolejo, a senior, was one of two quarterbacks who played for the Rams a year ago, and he will play an important role in helping the Rams develop more of a passing attack to keep defenses honest against the run. He’s an athletic quarterback who can run the ball, and his arm and decision-making abilities have improved, Perry says.

Coach says

“There’s not 15 more guys walking through that door, so we’ll be thin, but we like the guys we have. They’re entering the season with more confidence than a year ago, and all offseason they’ve been in the gym working.” – head coach Eric Perry.

Player says

“We’re a better team this year because of how we’ve worked to prepare. But there’s still more work ahead.” – senior running back Manny Ridge.

Best game

Sept. 14 vs. Desert Hot Springs: Both teams will look to this game as a measuring stick in the new Desert Valley League, and it’s a chance for the Rams to perhaps jump out to a 1-0 start in what will likely be a competitive league slate.

Projected record

4-6, 2-5 DVL: The Rams were competitive for most of the 2017 season, and they appear to have gotten better, with multiple starters returning and a quiet confidence heading into 2018. Still, the thin roster is a concern, and could cause either injuries or the team to run out of gas in the fourth quarter of games. One thing is certain, though: There are several winnable games on the Rams’ schedule.